Stay connected
Make a point of speaking with at least one person on your team each day. Take time to connect with co-workers on a personal level, the same way you would if you were at the office — those extra moments go a long way.
Ideas for staying connected with your work team - Your gatherings could be as simple as a short ten minute video call break, which means you can schedule regular online get-togethers.
- Teams/Zoom group chats – Issue virtual challenges to your remote teams. Could include the following themes:
- favorite song and video clip;
- favorite travel destination and photos; etc.
- Throwback Thursday: Invite your teammates to share an old photo with the team. Questionable fashion choices encouraged!
- Dinner date: Ask your team to share drool-worthy meal photos, whether homemade or takeout.
- Never-ending story: One team member creates an Instagram story that ends with a challenge to another teammate. That teammate responds via story, prompting another colleague.
- Tag a teammate: Post pictures of famous groups such as The Avengers, Disney character, the cast of the Simpsons. Ask group members to tag each character with a corresponding teammate.
- Book a weekly coffee meeting – drop in – if you can attend great, if not maybe you can join next week.
- Have a virtual Scavenger Hunt – Ideas and sample lists here. Included are suggestions for students and kids.
Plan Fall/Winter Activities as a Team - Celebrate the changing of seasons with some socially distanced and virtual fall activities! Head to one of the city's many parks, dress warmly, and have a cookout! Lethbridge has also adjusted some traditional winter activities to respect the new COVID-19 guidelines – Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden has events such as the Winter LIght Festival and Shakespeare Meets Dickens. Advance tickets required.
There’s lots going on with the U of L Fine Arts programs as well as local and around the world events.
1. View an Online Art Exhibit or Explore Your Own Artsy Side:
Get involved with the U of L Fine Arts on-line programs. Culture Vulture from Home – great arts and crafts videos geared to be flexible for all ages from kindergarten to adult, and use accessible household materials.
Join Knitting at Noon From Your Room – with the Art Gallery folks. Same as always, just on-screen now. Open to all, experienced crafty folk can use their own projects or newcomers can try making a granny square with the assistance of gallery staff and volunteers. The program provides an opportunity for an informal social event to swap knitting tips, learn a new skill or just enjoy social interaction.
Check out other regularly scheduled events and art collections on the U of L Art Gallery Facebook page.
2. University of Lethbridge Fine Arts schedules events on a regular basis including:
Art NOW series, Architecture & Design NOW Series, Music at Noon Series and Drama Mainstage. Check out their line up and plan to attend with a colleague, friend or family member!
3. Many other famous museums from around the world have opened up virtual exhibits for you to explore the artwork.
4. Stream a Live Concert
Find your favourite artists on social media to see if they are live-streaming any of their music or shows. New online performances are being announced daily and the Billboard has a running list you can check back on regularly.
5. Watch a Shakespearean Play
Stratford Festival and Shakespeare’s Globe are updating their pages regularly with new recordings of performances to watch in the comfort of your own home. Catch a showing of Macbeth, Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet on your TV or computer with your favourite snacks.
6. Like to Read? Join the U of L Book Club. It’s a great way to find fresh reads and discuss them with other members of the University community.
Check out bird-cams; zoo cams, on-line travelling experiences, etc.
Connect with Nature and Animals
- Bird Cams: A virtual window into the natural world of birds
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Tune in to a web cam to experience the wonder of the ocean
- San Diego Zoo: Watch a live camera to observe the zoo animals
- Many national parks are available for viewing thanks to Google Earth and Google Arts & Culture, including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite
Travel from the Comfort of your Couch
- Explore some wonders of the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, or even the Sydney Opera House
- 360-degree tours of Disney parks like Disney World, Disneyland, and even Epcot are available through Google Street View
Send Snail Mail to Friends/Relatives, Even Co-workers
Check out this article on different and unexpected ways to revel in snail mail.
Not only does volunteering build a stronger, more connected community, but it also has some serious benefits for you, too.
Mental Health – Volunteering helps you learn to think critically and creatively and this keeps your brain active and strong. Volunteering has even been linked to greater brain plasticity!
Physical Health – Often volunteering requires you to be up and moving, utilizing hands-on skills to completed certain tasks. This has been linked with great longevity and graceful aging. And might even burn some calories!
Emotional Health – We all need human connection, and chatting, laughing and even crying together softens the heart and opens the mind. Volunteers brings you closer with others. (from Volunteer Lethbridge)
- ULSU Food Bank – donate to the ULSU food bank, find out more info here.
There a many different volunteer opportunities at the City of Lethbridge as well as other organizations in the city. Please have a look through some of the current opportunities for you to volunteer: